Agriculture

• Monday, September 6th 2010 - 05:15 UTC

  IMF confident risks of further large price spikes for wheat have eased

  

  Despite a large rise in the two months to August, wheat prices remain well below levels reached during the boom in 2008 and market pricing indicates that the risks of further large price spikes have eased, says a report from the IMF.

• Friday, September 3rd 2010 - 03:30 UTC

  Wheat climbs as Russia extends ban on exports until next year’s crop

  

  Wheat climbed after Russia, the third-largest grower last year, extended a ban on exports into next year following a drought destroyed crops, tightening global supplies. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization called a special meeting to address the global grains situation.

• Wednesday, September 1st 2010 - 19:08 UTC

  Wheat prices drive FAO food prize index at its highest since September 2008

  

  Surging wheat prices drove international food prices up 5% last month in the biggest month-on-month increase since November 2009, FAO announced. The FAO Food Price Index (FPI) averaged 176 points in August, up nearly nine points from July, FAO said in its latest update on the global cereals supply and demand situation.

• Monday, August 30th 2010 - 06:59 UTC

  UK scientists decode wheat genome; vital to help feed growing population

  

  British scientists have released draft sequences of the wheat genome, which they think could make a vital contribution to securing global food supplies. The researchers say their efforts could help British farmers to develop new strains with greater yields.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 03:24 UTC

  With strong farm sector recovery Paraguay economy forecasted to grow 9%

  

  Paraguay raised its 2010 economic growth forecast to 9% from 6% on an improved agricultural production outlook, the central bank said this week. This would be the Paraguayan economy largest annual expansion in almost three decades.

• Tuesday, August 24th 2010 - 05:07 UTC

  Russia admits crop loss of 38%; self sufficient in 2010 but no reserves for 2011

  

  Russia has enough grain to cover its domestic needs after harvesting this year 38% less than the previous crop, a senior official said Monday. However markets believe Russia could be forced to import several million tons to ensure grain reserves until the following 2011 harvest

• Saturday, August 21st 2010 - 15:22 UTC

  More government land to Cuban small farmers to help boost food production

  

  The Cuban government has awarded in usufruct over a million hectares to small farmers one of the main reforms promoted by President Raúl Castro to help the country’s economy recover from its deep recession and cut the huge imported food bill that conditions Cuban international reserves.

• Wednesday, August 18th 2010 - 04:24 UTC

  Wheat futures advance as Ukraine follows Russia and imposes export quota

  

  Wheat futures advanced for the first time in four sessions in Chicago trading after Ukraine, the second-largest exporter in the former Soviet Union last year, said it will probably limit overseas sales, following Russia’s restrictions on trade.

• Friday, August 13th 2010 - 06:39 UTC

  Argentine wheat farmers slash land sown to a 111 year low, says FT

  

  British newspaper “The Financial Times” has run a story focusing on Argentina's wheat production, explaining that due to export limits and taxes, “farmers have slashed the land sown with wheat to a 111-year low” and cereal exports “have been halved over the past five years.”

• Saturday, August 7th 2010 - 00:43 UTC

  Brazil ready to confirm another record crop: 147.1 million tons

  

  Brazil is poised to confirm its largest crop ever, 147.1 million tons in 2009/2010, which is 9% higher that the 135.1 million of 2008/09 according to the latest survey from Conab, the country’s National Supply Agency. The latest record was in 2007/08 with 146 million tons.